I have the option of getting a slightly used 6’4" 21w and 3" thick shortboard for $100. keep in mind im a beginner and i dont know if i should buy this and risk never being able to catch anything on it since ive only surfed once before, or if i should just buy a crappy soft top board to train on. HELP GUYS
That’s not much info to go on. Doesn’t sound like a beginner board, I’d pass, unless you could turn around and sell it for 200. Who said anything about a soft top?
Yes, not enough info. If you’re 4’8" and weigh 85 lbs a 6’4" might work. If you are a full grown adult? Probably not.
Also, are you talking about a softboard (BZ, Greco, Wavestorm, Morey, etc) or an actual soft top? There’s a big difference, you know.
Hint: Soft tops are only “soft” on the top.
well im 5’10" and 155, and im talking about the generic 8ft wavestorm soft top boards.
im really stressing the fact that i could potentially be passing up an amazing deal of a 6’4" cole surfboard that is in great condition has a traction pad included all for $100
im 19 and barely getting into surfing.
Most of us probably hate seeing soft tops in the water – even when skilled guys bring them out with an ironic look on their faces – but when I take people out for their first surf I usually have them rent a soft top for their first 2 or 3 surfs. I take them to spots where we can surf alone, though, and here again the soft top comes into play because unoccupied peaks are going to have less energy and lesser shape/quality.
After they know what it’s like to catch a wave and stand up, I’ll put them on one of my boards (I’m usually much heavier than they are) that floats them with at least some of their thighs out of the water when they sit with the board level. And we’ll still surf where other people won’t be tortured by their inability to read a wave or understand right of way.
You should probably buy or rent a soft-top (the rental will be better quality than a Wavestorm from Costco), and then listen to the advice you get here about what to get for a first board. Just, please God, do not try and surf near me on either (I’m joking, but basically this is how everybody around you who can surf feels if you paddle out to the peak they’re on).
That’s not a soft top. It’s a soft board. Like I already said, there’s a big difference.
Why do so many people get this wrong? It’s as bad as the ones who talk about “epoxy vs fiberglass”.
Soft tops are typically the ones made by Surftech. They are basically the same as a Surftech or Bic popout, with a rubber layer on the deck. The bottom is hard plastic and the fins are also hard plastic.
A soft board (Like BZ, Wavestorm, Greco, etc) has a soft bottom and usually soft rubber fins as well. It is NOT a damn “soft top”
The 6’4" will make learning a lot harder. To get started, you really do want a board with more floatation and stability- your learning curve will be easier, and you’ll have a lot more fun, and sooner.
Also, if you stick with surfing and progress to the point of being able to really utilize a shortboard, know that you’ll be able to find one for around that price (with a little patience, on Craigslist). Point is- don’t get excited about that board, it’s no big deal.
There are people here that can steer you in the right direction on what to look for! Might try asking “what’s the best board for me to learn on?”
Also let us know where you live. We can give you advice on the best places to learn.
Have fun!
There are several schools of thought… Learning on a long board, is the classic, and makes it easier. I learnt on a short, narrow, thin board, at first, then some other weird shortish 5’10" - 6’8"… Then on to some 8’er’s I loved. I still love 'em that length. There is a lot to be said for paddle power, but you can also get a good paddling board that is also very manueverable.
Where you at? How much you gonna surf? etc…
A 19 year old, 155 pound guy should be able to learn to surf on a 6-4, 21 wide, 3 inch thick surfboard. If your not going to build your own, I say buy it. You can probably resell it if it doen’t work out for you. No way should you get the costco softie. Ugly, poor riding pieces of shit. Mike
…hello Devgoone, I m a follower of “another school” (more efforts, right floatation) and a board builder since mid 80s; for your biotype that board is big enough or too big, so you ll go just ok, but first do what Batfische says. You are young and mid size so you do not need anything big; that s a very big mistake; you should put more water time and the recompense will be better; if with your age and size you take the super floatation path, in the future will be very difficult to surf small boards and performs a modern Surfing.
Rooster is right too.
Thanks for the great feedback guys, its really helped a lot. i think I am going to go for the board if in turn it doesnt workout for me i could always resell it for much more, like i said earlier its in great condition. Also I live in southern california near pasadena. please keep it coming with your opinions and suggestions.
these are pics of the board.
https://swaylocks7stage.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/IMG_6263.JPG
https://swaylocks7stage.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/IMG_6264.JPG
I’m in agreement with Sammy… the Surftech STs are decent shapes and decent riding boards. The bottoms are fiberglass/epoxy and the decks too (under the padding.) They also have real fin systems, unlike some of the soft boards already mentioned. The fins alone place a Surftch ST miles ahead of the others. Those giant thick soft boards with shitty fin systems have a lot more flotation than Surftech STs and for some beginners are actually a better choice if they are just going to rent once or twice and head back to Nebraska or Iowa but for someone who wants to progress:
Skip the Cole 6’4", skip the Wavestorms, skip ALL the soft boards. What you need is a beginner-friendly wide, long, thick board and a decent soft breaking sort of wave to get the hang of things. And believe me, the ‘soft breaking wave’ will play a bigger role in your success than the specific board on which you are riding. Think Waikiki, Mondos (Ventura, Ca), or some similar reef break. Avoid wind blown closed out beach breaks. Any point breaks that are actually breaking will likely be packed with surfers far more experienced.
If you in fact are ‘barely getting into’ surfing, you can hardly go too long, too wide, or too thick. I have given many people their first lesson and have a really good (nearly 100%) success rate as far as getting beginners to their feet and riding straight in. My board of choice for beginner lessons is a 12’ Mickey Munoz epoxy Surftech with self-stick deck padding.
PS - That Cole… The forward deck looks to have had substantial repairs and overall, the board is not in that great of condition. I’m not knocking cole… he’s a great guy. That board however is not a great board on which anyone should begin surfing.
https://swaylocks7stage.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/P1010017%20(2).JPG
Good post by John Mellor. I agree. You could actually probably learn on just about anything, if you were determined enough, but if you’re looking for advice to make the journey a little easier / more pleasant, I would listen to John.
My 1st board was an 8’ tiki s’n’h (soft and hard) and was the great for learning on. Had a lot of fun with it. Everyone has there own preferences but that’s the route I would always advise on.
+2 for what - Johnmellor said.
If you put me on a 6’4" when I first started out I probably would take forever to learn. I started out on a 7’4"! And I was 5’5" and of average weight. Surfing was fun! I could catch wave after wave -all day long!!! Get something six ten and 21" wide-period. I don’t surf every day like I used to. But I can tell you matter of fact - chances are good the six four will probably be a flop. Get something 7’ at least.
This is the thing about learning.
While a big board floats well and is very forgiving in the early stages of paddling, catching waves, and standing up… there comes a point where a really big board becomes a hindrance to stuff like turning, duck diving, and general control.
The thing about an 8’ soft board is that you get lots of float, they aren’t too bulky, and you don’t have to repair it every time it’s used. Most beginners will destroy a typical poly/poly board before they learn to do a legit turn. It’s just the way things are. An 8’ Bic would be a good choice if you can find one second hand, and it’s still fairly pristine.
But, if I had my way every beginner would have to start on a sub 7’ board with no leash, for a 1 year minmum. That would weed out a lot of dilletantes and make lineups more tolerable. The leash, and the longboard resurgence, opened the door to lots of people who have no business at certain breaks.
Practice pop ups at home. Lots of 'em. Until you can do 'em in your sleep.
When you finally get to the beach you can concentrate on paddling and riding.
SAY NO TO TEAM COSTCO